GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: acwats on 06 March 2007, 21:41
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Can somebody please put forward the case for xenon headlights.
I’ve driven a number of cars (E-Class, 5 Series, Honda Civic but not a golf) with xenons and admit they are better than standard halogen BUT not £625 better.
What percentage of time per year do you have your lights on ? what percentage of this time do you spend under streetlights. This leaves a tiny proportion (for most townies) in the real dark, but even then how often do you think to yourself - I wish my lights were brighter I canÂ’t see?
I once had a Calibra and the lights were useless but the standard golf lights are ok
I can understand spending £625 on goodies eg improved stereo or Mutli Function Steering wheel as you the driver interacts (read plays) with these….. but headlights???
Have I missed something – I know they look different to the trained eye in the daylight but is it that they improve the aesthetics of the car when stationary?
Is it a one up thing :tongue:- I just don’t get it – half the cars on the road with xenons are Saabs, Vauxhall Omegas or Skodas.
I canÂ’t see that thereÂ’s a safety argument?
Still each to their own. Let me know what IÂ’m missing :rolleyes:
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must say it wasn't on my list of priorities. Having just picked my ED30 tonight and driven it home in the dark, the "normal" lights worked great and I found my way home!
I admit the xenons "look" better but they're not worth that amount of money to me. As everyone says, each to their own, and given the choice of xenons / halagon with a no cost option theb I'd consider them :wink:
Oh..... the car is FANTASTIC!
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All I can say is try a Golf MK5 with Xenons, either OE or Retro :evil: then you will see how good they are, the MK5 OE Xenons are one of the best I've encountered.
I agree the price tag is high though.
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All I can say is try a Golf MK5 with Xenons, either OE or Retro :evil:
Huh hum . . . . . :wink:
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acwats, standard (factory fit) Xenons are considerably better than conventional halogens.
The colour output of the light is very different to halogens, so much so, that it gives considerably greater illumination of white lines (on the road surface :wink: ), reflective road signs, the scotchlite reflective piping found on trainers and kids rucksacs (and the BiB in unmarked cop cars), and even the reflective "battenburg" markings on emergency services vehicles - very handy for advanced warnings of cop cars hiding in hedges . . . whoops, I meant approaching ambulances :wink: so you can "modify" your driving near said vehicles.
They also have automatic level control, which standard halogens (and retro fit Xenons) don't have. The most crucial safety advantage here, to the driver, is under hard braking - on halogens, the cut-off of the dipped beam reduces dramatically as the nose dips and the rear end rises - on Xenons, the beam distance remains constant. That same advantave is also offered to on-coming cars under acceleration - instead of illuminating the stars (and on-coming drivers), like halogens would, Xenons automatically "lower" the beam under acceleration.
IMHO, Xenons are a valid safety improvement, to both the driver and other road users. Similar logic could be used for say airbags or seat belts - until you have a crash, they are pretty much un-needed! At least Xenons help to see where you are going much better!
Regarding your E-class, they were a very poor example of Xenons, because MB were initally adamant about NOT using the elipsoidal, projector type headlamps, and relied on their "traditional" open reflector type headlamp units. These gave very poor control and definition to the Xenon beam, and as such, were not the best advert for Xenons. They too have now finally bit the bullet and converted to projector headlamps for Xenons.
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Picked up my GTI with xenons yesterday and constantly "flashed". Is this the norm???
Geoff
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Thought you may get into this one TT!!
Geoff, sounds like you lights need adjusting down a touch - back to dealer. I have not been flashed in week of driving with xenons.
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Perhaps they like your blue GTi blowers!!! you get alot of attention trust me!!! :wink:
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I agree that the zenons are not cheap. Living out in the sticks the Zenons are amazing on the country roads. They really define the edges of the read and their range on full beam is amazing. They are much better than the lights on my MKiv.
Just wish that they were cheaper. I haven't had anyone flash me yet though.
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Had Xenons on the RX-8 (why was the RX-8 so incredibly well spec'd as standard compared to the GTI????) and to be honest I don't miss them.
I did used to get 'flashed' occasionally, but I believe that is because they do seem to cause a little more glare to other drivers as the light is very 'white' compared to the 'yellow' of regular lights.
If they were standard I would be happy. I am un-likely to ever tick them on a cost-optioin list on any car I own, unless the market tells me they are 'needed' for resale time.
P~
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What a fantastic car Phil...sooo much fun to drive. Had some fun with neighbours today taking them on a very sedate run for a mile so they could muse "what is all the fuss about"...then flooring it and watching their reactions! Is their actually any members of thsi GTI siyte that have retained a clean licence? ,,...thats my main concern!
Geoff
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So we agree they are better but at £750 not good value.
There must be better ways to spend £750 on your GTI. You get the benefit of most other optional extras all the time - I reckon the "xenon factor" is probably only achieved for 10% of the driving time
I repsect your choices guys but remain totally unconvinced :smiley:
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Can xenons be fitted by VW after the car has left the factory?
I might manage to get hold of a car earlier than the one I've ordered - but it doesnt have xenons. Just wondering if my local dealer can fit them - and if so how much they're likely to charge? I'm sure it'll be more than the £750 optional extra!
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In a word, No. Too many bits like the washers and suspension components make it a non starter I think.
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Picked up my GTI with xenons yesterday and constantly "flashed". Is this the norm???
Geoff,
Short answer, yes. They are self adjusting but despite this they seem a bit high to other road users.
Cass
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Mine are fine and cause no 'flashing'. You should be able to see the light beam cut off below eye level.
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I have to say first car I have ever driven with them on, is our ED30.
I was sceptical about shelling out £725 for them, but definatly worth it.
Look good on and off and give the car a more upmarket feel, at the moment.
Dave
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I have to say first car I have ever driven with them on, is our ED30.
I was sceptical about shelling out £725 for them, but definatly worth it.
Look good on and off and give the car a more upmarket feel, at the moment.
Dave
Have you had probs with oncoming 'flashers'?!? :grin: :grin:
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Have you managed to take any pics yet blowers?? been nice to see your pride and joy, if it helps, ive had mine from september and STILL have a clean licence!!! :smug:,
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I have a dirty liceance, but that has nothing to do with the Edition 30 :embarassed:
Not had any flashers yet, TBH If I do I will be suprised, I actually think they are set quite low, they don't seem to stretch very far ahead anyway.
Dave
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Living in London I think they only really have pose value. Had them on my S2000 as standard but don't have them on my GTI and don't feel as cool but can see just as well thanks to all the council supplied orange lighting around here!
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So we agree they are better but at £750 not good value.
Oh, I think £750 is not too bad a price to pay for dramatically improved visibility. And they look cool as fcuk - on or off. And part of the GTI "experience" is style, isn't it ???
There must be better ways to spend £750 on your GTI. You get the benefit of most other optional extras all the time
I wouldn't be so sure about payback. When I bought my S4 in 2003, I ticked virtually every option available. Some of the stealers questioned why I wanted the OEM SatNav, when the aftermarket ones were "supposedly" just as good. We now all know that OEM SatNav is a better option in terms of security, now that scrotes make a living from lifting your TomTom/RoadAngel/Garmin etc.
When I ordered my RS4, the book value allowance for SatNav and leather was £1k each, and the stealers told me that it would be might hard to sell on without those, even though both were options. They also mentioned about the Xenons, but I "reminded" them they were standard! They stated that Xenons were starting to become the latest "must haves" on second hand cars. The only high value option with no payback was the sunroof.
I reckon the "xenon factor" is probably only achieved for 10% of the driving time
Noooooo, you gotta be joking. As stated above, they look cool as fcuk, even when switched off! At this time of year, don't you end up going to AND from work in the dark? Anyhow, I personally drive with my lights on 24/7, so I use them 100% of the time.
I repsect your choices guys but remain totally unconvinced :smiley:
Note to self: must try harder ! :grin: :grin: :grin: